Event to highlight children's mental health

Thursday

May 16, 2019 at 5:32 PMMay 16, 2019 at 5:32 PM

A regional health agency will host its annual Children's Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day in Thibodaux this weekend.

Open to the public, the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority's event will include bounce houses, face painting, music and food. Health care vendors will also have booths set up to answer questions from parents.

Authority Executive Director Lisa Schilling said the 6-year-old event's meant to educate children and adults.

"Our main goal is to reduce the stigma of mental health in children and adolescents," said Schilling.

The authority serves eight parishes, including Terrebonne and Lafourche, and is charged with providing mental health, addiction and developmental disability services to the region. While its main headquarters is in Houma, the authority has locations in Larose, Morgan City and Raceland.

Beyond burgers and music, children can sit down for a reading by a "celebrity" storyteller, said Schilling.

Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. and Lafourche Parish District Attorney Kristine Russell will each read one book to the kids.

Waitz will read Dr. Seuss, while Russell is reading a book that talks about feelings and emotions.

For adults, the vendors will be able to answer any questions they may have about symptoms observed in a child.

"They can ask if this is really a behavioral health issue or is this really ADHD," said Schilling. "We'll have people there to talk about their experience and find a direction."

Schilling and Misty Herbert, the agency's clinical director, said the authority has a full clinic off of LA 311. It's staffed with a range of professionals from adult and child psychiatrists to case managers and peer support specialists.

"All of our services under one roof," said Herbert.

The event will take place at the Peltier Park Pavillion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

At the event, the authority's staff and volunteers will be clad in gray and available to help. For information, call Janet Price at 876-8811.

Staff Writer Halle Parker can be reached at hparker@houmatoday.com or 857-2204. Follow her on Twitter, @_thehalparker.

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